HAMPTON — The visitors are used to running water, omnipresent Internet service and centralized air. Their hosts know none of that. They're roughly the same age, but they live vastly different lives and speak different languages.

But there's always baseball.

For the 10th time since 1999, Hampton Christian coach Mike Moore took a group of his players to Cuba for a 15-day mission trip. The point was to share their love of baseball and faith and make it a learning experience for both.

"Since that first trip, the people of Cuba have been in my heart spiritually as well as with their incredible passion for baseball," Moore said. "Each trip kind of takes a shape and form of its own. It was a remarkable trip overall.

"You know, baseball is a bonding element that is universal, especially in that country. When we mentioned we play baseball, everything changed. They seem to have a different outward perspective of us. They knew we came to do what we could to make their lives better."

Making the trip with Moore were four of his player from last season: 2012 graduate Christian Coles, junior Austin Fields, sophomore Garrett Fields, and junior Cole Ragnar. Also along was the Rev. Jose Rodriguez of Bethel Temple Assembly of God.

The group left June 29, but it's hardly a straight line to Cuba. They flew to Toronto, where they spent the night and left the next day on a direct flight to Camaguey. Located almost right in the middle of the island, Camaguey is Cuba's third-largest city and the birthplace of Cincinnati Reds great Tony Perez.

Cuba is a communist country, and the Castros can be a hot button issue. But there's a very simple rule for this trip: No political discussions.

"You just have to know your mission," Coles said. "We're there to help people, not to discuss politics or argue about the governments. We're not there to be selfish."

"You don't even mention his name," Moore said, stroking his chin to indicate the beard for which Fidel Castro is known.

Coles also went to Cuba last summer.

"My first year was an eye-opener," he said. "It was the first time I had been out of the country for anything. And playing along side the Cuban players was like a dream, because they've always been known for playing baseball really well."

For the Fields, it was their first trip.

"To see the people there, they're in so much need," Garrett said. "I was just glad to help them out any way I could."

"It really made me thankful for what I have," Austin said. "They don't have much, but they're happy with what they do have."

Moore said they played about five or six baseball games, with the four HC kids mixing in with the Cubans. The pitching, he said, was anywhere from decent to Division III caliber.

For the HC kids, the real eye-opener was equipment. The Cubans were warming up with old baseballs that were barely held together by the stitching. Bats were hand-carved, and not nearly with the expertise that Roy Hobbs used in "The Natural."

Moore's group brought several baseballs, gloves, and bats, which the left behind. Moore said Tidewater Team Sports provided several hats, which he crammed into bags and left in Camaguey.

"They were very hospitable to us," Coles said of the Cubans. "When we came to play, they were always very receptive to letting us play with them. They actually seemed very excited about it, and we were happy to be there with them."

"And they'd always give us their best," Austin Fields said. "Like when we'd go eat lunch after the game at the pastor's house. They'd always give us the best they had."

There were adjustments for the American kids. There was little cellular service, so the phones were left behind. Television was limited, food required some getting used to, and indoor plumbing wasn't always at your beck and call.

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